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“You know, I really take for granted how close we live to all this.” Tim walks with his arm wrapped around Lucy. This moment is going to be perfect. It has to be.
“I was surprised you suggested it. I thought you hated the beach.” Lucy teases him slightly and he loves every minute of it.
Tim gently scoffs, but he has a smile on his face. “What? Just because I hate the sand doesn’t mean I can’t be out here appreciating the time with you.”
“Oh wow.” Lucy really loves this soft, romantic side of Tim. “Do you ever have that feeling where a moment is so perfect that you're trying to memorize it while you’re experiencing it?”
“Yeah.” He kisses the side of her head. He takes a breath and knows that this is his moment, the absolute perfect moment. When he gets down on one knee, Lucy gasps softly. She is holding back her emotions. “When we met, I had to come to believe that the world was a really dark place. And for the last eight years you’ve shown me just how much light there is. You have healed me in places that I didn’t even know were broken. I promise you…I promise to spend the rest of our lives doing everything I can to be worthy of that love.” The emotion is evident in his voice, but he’s also just so happy. “So Lucy Chen, will you marry me?” She smiles softly and this is one of the easiest answers that she’s ever given him.
“Yes, yes, yes.” Lucy leans down to kiss him and they both almost fall down.
“Oh it’s perfect.” They stand back up. She pulls him in for another kiss. “This is perfect. I love you.”
Tim kisses her softly. “I love you.” He whispers. “You’ve truly made me the happiest man in this entire world.” Lucy’s hand lands on Tim’s chest and she can’t stop staring at the ring.
“This ring is perfect. You’re perfect. This entire proposal was perfect.” Tim cuts her rambling off with a kiss and the smiles can’t be wiped off either of their faces.
“It really is so beautiful here.” Tim murmurs but his eyes are only on Lucy. “You are so beautiful.”
Lucy lays her head against Tim’s chest and looks at the sunset. The waves are crashing in the background and she wants to memorize this entire moment forever. “Tim, I really am so proud of you.” She whispers and her words mean so much to him. “And you, Tim Bradford, are worthy of all my love. We are worth the effort.”
The words sit with Tim and he thinks about how far they’ve truly come. Lucy is his light and he can’t wait to marry her. “I didn’t expect this today.” She finally looks up at him and he’s a bit surprised, which shows on his face. “What?”
Tim lets out a chuckle before pulling Lucy down so that they can sit in the sand and watch the sunset. “Well, uh.” She leans back into him and nothing else seems to matter at this moment. “Pretty much the entire station knew I was going to propose.” He finally admits, but doesn’t mention their friends trying to be overly involved.
Lucy giggles. “I’m surprised I didn’t hear about it. The station gossip travels faster than drama in high school.” Tim can’t disagree with that and he decides to not mention the fact that he lost the ring. Lucy suddenly gasps. “Oh my god, Rodge was never going to propose to Celina, was he?”
Tim shakes his head and kisses the top of her head again. “No, he wasn’t. I told her not to pry, but she didn’t listen.”
“Wait, that’s why you were so nervous in your office!” She exclaims.
“I didn’t do a good job with hiding any of it.” He murmurs. “But I needed to find the perfect ring and have the perfect proposal for you. You, Lucy Chen, deserve the world.”
Lucy has to blink back some tears and she feels Tim’s hands wrap around her just a tad more slightly. “And so do you.” She whispers. They have come so far and their life is pretty perfect. She didn’t think she would ever have this. “I don’t want to move.”
“I think sitting here with you sounds pretty great.” Tim’s hand runs along her ring finger.
“Where did you find this ring?” Lucy finally asks.
“Aaron knows a guy.” She laughs and he loves hearing it. “And he came to Angela’s and brought me rings that were nice but not very Lucy Chen.” She chuckled. “So I told him all about you and then he came back with rings that all had a story. You love hearing people's stories and getting to know them so it was very fitting.”
“What’s the story of this one?” She is curious.
Tim slowly lets out a breath. “The couple who had it started out as friends for many years before they realized that they were in love. There were struggles and obstacles that threatened to tear them apart, but they overcame all of those and were together for over fifty years.”
Lucy turns around when Tim finishes. “Wow.” He pushes her hair behind her ears. “That’s oddly familiar.”
Tim lets out a small breath. “We’ve overcome so much to be here. Our lives are just beginning and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
“We have and we will always get through whatever comes our way, together.” The sun is almost fully set. “Should we go home?”
“I think that sounds pretty perfect. Plus, we need food.” Lucy agrees. “But let’s take a picture and tell everyone. I think everyone is waiting.”
Lucy turns around and her back is against Tim’s chest. Tim’s hand is wrapped around her and it’s resting gently on her stomach. She places hers on top of his and then turns her head to look at him. A nice older couple walks by and offers their help. Once they’re done, they thank them and Tim guides Lucy to his truck. “I’ll send this to everyone and then I’m shutting our phones off for now. We are definitely going to celebrate.”
Tim smirks and helps Lucy into the truck. She sends the picture to the group chat which uncles Genny and Joy.
From Lucy:
*inserts picture*
Someone finally worked up the courage to ask and of course I said yes. Easiest yes of my life. The future Mrs. Bradford.
Her phone starts going off and Tim gives her a sheepish look. Lucy almost cries reading just how much everyone loves them.
From Joy:
This is the greatest news. You’re like a second daughter to me, Lucy. I love you. Thank you for loving my son and bringing him back to me.
From Celina:
Oh thank god. I don’t need to make any more stories up in the shop.
From Nyla:
About damn time Bradford. I am happy for you two! Go celebrate.
From Grey:
I’m glad you took my advice. I’m proud of both of you and can’t wait to officiate your wedding.
“They really do love us.” Tim squeezes Lucy’s knee and more messages come through.
From Aaron:
Great ring choice. So happy the Chenford show is getting married!
From Angela:
FINALLY TIMOTHY. Don’t ever make me hold onto a secret that long for you ever again. Now, I love you both, you’ve managed to make me cry, and Lucy, thank you for loving Tim. It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it. Since Tim did plan my wedding, I am here to help. Love you both!
“She is such a menace.” Tim grumbles and Lucy chuckles.
“And she’s your BFF who adores you. We have the best people in our lives.” Tim grabs her hand and can’t stop running his fingers along her ring. It still feels surreal to him.
From Nolan:
Oh thank goodness the ring was found. Happy for you both and told you she’d love it.
Lucy looks over at Tim. “Don’t ask, please.”
“You’re off the hook tonight, but tomorrow is a different story.” Tim parks the car in the driveway and turns towards Lucy. “Now, we need to go celebrate.”
Tim moves closer and pulls her in for a kiss. “That sounds pretty wonderful.” He doesn’t move though.
“What?” Her voice is soft and he can’t believe that she is going to be his forever.
“This..this is the greatest story for our grandkids.” Lucy’s heart melts and she feels tears prickling the corners of her eyes.
She starts speaking. “Our love story is going to live on for generations. From our kids to grandkids, to great grandkids and beyond.” Lucy crashes her lips against his. “I can’t wait to create this life with you. You are everything good and were the piece of my heart I didn’t know I was missing.”
“You are truly one in a million.” He closes his eyes and says that prayer of gratitude for Lucy. “My unicorn.”